Overview
- At least 22 people have been killed since early January in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, with victims including multiple children and an eight-month-old baby.
- More than 100 forest personnel are searching for the animal, and repeated attempts to tranquilize it have failed as it moves erratically and can cover about 30 kilometers a day.
- Authorities describe the elephant as a young, one-tusked male believed to be separated from its herd, and a forest official called the situation unprecedented for the region.
- Residents have been placed on high alert with advisories to avoid forest areas at night and not sleep outdoors, and officials have pledged financial support for victims’ families.
- A Jan. 20 media report says a specialist involved in efforts to restrain the elephant was fatally injured during operations.